New partnership trains next gen of Vietnam pilots

The new partnership between RMIT and Vin Academy of Education and Training saw its first cohort of students commence last week.

While the students were due to arrive in Melbourne to begin their training this semester, the University quickly adapted to the current situation and border closures to deliver the first semester online in Vietnam.

Under the new two-year partnership, students are enrolled from Vietnam into RMIT’s Associate Degree in Aviation (Professional Pilots) in Melbourne; providing the country’s airline industry with a pool of work-ready pilots to help meet their predicted future demand for air travel.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Professor Peter Coloe, says this partnership is one example of how we’re working with our global partners in flexible ways so we can continue to deliver quality education throughout the disruption.

“We’re working with our partners to adapt to the current situation to ensure students aren’t at a disadvantage because of it,” said Peter.

“We found ourselves in an interesting situation, with international and even state borders closed to Melbourne, stopping the cadets from travelling to commence the course. Yet in Vietnam, our campuses are all open and fully functioning.

“Working together with our partner, we were able to leverage our terrific RMIT campus in Saigon South, Vietnam, to provide a supportive environment for the students while they study online with access to our flight simulator for the practical applications.”

Even though the coursework is online, a local instructor who was previously a pilot instructor for Vietnam Airlines, has been engaged to supplement with industry knowledge, support and mentorship to the cadets.

“The collaboration from across RMIT – taking a Melbourne-based course and delivering it online while utilising our offshore campuses, flight simulator and expertise of a local instructor in Vietnam – truly highlights our agility as a global partner,” said Peter.

RMIT Vietnam Head of School of Science & Technology, Professor Julia Gaimster, says she is pleased to welcome the cadets to our Saigon South Campus.

“It’s been great to be able to welcome the first cohort of 12 cadets to our own campus last week to begin their training for the Melbourne-based degree.

“In Vietnam air travel is increasing, so it’s important we provide the aviation sector with work-ready, high-standard pilots to help meet the predicted demand,” said Julia.

This article was originally published on RMIT News.